The Natural Life– At West End Gallery
When a reader finishes a wonderful story and lays it aside, he should have to pause for a minute and collect himself.
–Raymond Carver, introduction to American Short Story Masterpieces (1987)
Today, Thursday, is the final day for my solo exhibit, The Jubilee Dance, at the West End Gallery.
Much like author Raymond Carver‘s words above, it feels like it is a wonderful story that is coming to an end and, as such, I find myself in recent days taking a minute or two to collect myself.
If it were indeed a story it was a satisfying read, one that has a hopeful, forward-looking end and one that inspired thought, both during the show and now, as it comes to a close.
Each painting might have been a character, each with its story to tell while still adding to the plot of the singular story that was the show. That is kind of how I have always viewed them, not as mere scenes or objects but as individuals whose stories deserve to be heard.
There were elements in these individual stories of despair and hope, loss and triumph, of bewilderment and understanding, and determination. Most were not fantastic tales. Instead, they often portrayed moments that revealed the mystery and grace in the mundane, moments of both empowerment and acquiescence to a greater power.
I think that is what art should do.
Maybe I am going on a bit too much this morning, before I turn the last page on the story of this show.
Maybe.
In my defense, this may have been the most satisfying show of all the 25 solo shows I have been fortunate to have had at the West End Gallery. I am sure that much of that comes from what has transpired with my health in the past year, something which has forced me to reexamine many things in my life. I now fully recognize that time and energy are finite resources and that meaning and purpose must be my highest priority.
I think it was on display in this show. But then again, that’s just my opinion. What do I know?
Many, many thanks to those who were able to take in this show, as well as to those who made it in for one of my favorite Gallery Talks.
Now, time for me to get back to work.
Here’s a song that is in tribute to Scott Colom who was named the winner yesterday in the Senatorial race in Mississippi. Mississippi had not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1982 and it was not since 1875 that the state sent a Black senator to Washington. The term of that senator, Blanche Bruce, ended in 1881, which means it has been 145 years since there was a Black senator in a state that has the highest percentage of Black citizens in the nation.
The song is Mississippi Goddam from the great Nina Simone. It was written by her in 1963 after the church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama killed four young girls. While it is an upbeat, entertaining song, its message of equality and justice is as powerful now as it was then. She sings about how people are always telling them to Go Slow and Do it Slow. That was 1963 and they are still telling people, especially people of color, just that in 2026. I think the fact that it took 145 years to elect another Black senator is testament to how those in power hold on to that power.
Dreams forever deferred.
No more going slow, folks. No time like the present.
This performance is from the Juan-les-Pins Jazz Festival in Antibes, France in 1965,
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